The Warriors made a very smart move this week. Instead of dismissing the overwhelming fan support for broadcaster Jim Barnett, they listened - and made sure he'll stay on the air.

No details have been finalized, but the Warriors have arranged for Barnett to work a certain number of televised games next season, in the role that has made him such a popular figure over the past 29 years. The team is in the process of finding a full-time replacement for Barnett, but in the wake of countless e-mails from fans praising his work, club executives found it best to keep him in the loop.

"Exactly how it will work, the number of games, my replacement - still to be determined," Barnett told The Chronicle via e-mail.

A source close to the Warriors said Barnett will work "a good, healthy number" of games, while dismissing a report by the Sporting News that Barnett will also work some games on radio with KNBR's Tim Roye. "Radio is no longer part of the mix as of this moment," the source said.

Throughout the season, it was reported that Barnett and the club had reached a "mutual" decision for him to retire from broadcasting and become an "ambassador" for the club. In truth, it was management's call, although Barnett, who turns 70 in July, saw some benefits in getting off the road. The bottom line is that "I'm not ready to hang it up just yet," he said. "I feel just as sharp and enthusiastic as ever."

Without a doubt, Barnett hasn't lost a trace of his analytical wizardry. The fact is that no other NBA broadcaster can match the experience of Barnett, whose NBA career began with the 1966-67 Boston Celtics, and few are as objective - when it comes to criticizing the Warriors or praising the opposition.

"You can never say Jim's a guy who just roots for the home team," said legendary player and Warriors executive Jerry West. "He'll tell you if something went wrong, and he gives plenty of credit to the other teams and players. That's a lot more becoming than someone who sits there and is a shill for the franchise."